Lamp socket electrical connection



May 16, 1961 F. BOSS! LAMP SOCKET ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Filed July 14,1960 FIG. 4-.

' JNVENTOR. 4 3 BY -rron ers Patented May 16, 1961 LAMP SOCKETELECTRICAL CONNECTION Fulvio Bossi, Cinisello, Italy, assign'or toFrankel Associates, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Thisinvention relates generally to electrical devices and is especiallyconcerned with a unique electrical connection.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electricalconnection which is extremely simple in construction, so as to be highlyeconomical in manufacture.

The instant invention further provides an electrical connection which isentirely safe in use, and may be quickly and easily disconnected,disassembled and reassembled, if desired, without special skill ortools, and which is adapted to be produced in very small or miniaturesizes for use in a wide variety of applications.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electricalconnection having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraphs, which is of the plug-and-socket type and adaptedfor use with illuminating lamps, say of the small incandescent 1 e.

While the electrical connection of the present invention has beenprimarily developed for use in illuminated decorations, as for Christmastrees and the like, and will be shown and illustrated hereinafter withparticular reference thereto, it is understood that the concept andstructure of the device is capable of many varied applications, all ofwhich are intended to be comprehended herein.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal exploded view showing the elements of anelectrical connection constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention, certain elements being shown in section and leadwires being omitted for clarity of understanding;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view similar to Figure 1, withcertain of the elements assembled, prior to the final assembly step;

Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing the fullyassembled electrical connection of the pres ent invention; and

Figure 4 is a lower-end View of either Figure 2 or 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFigures 13, a socket is there generally designated 10, and includes anelongate body 11 having on one end thereof an axially extending annularwall or sleeve 12.

The body 11 may be of an axially tapering external configuration, as byits external surface 13, and terminates at a smaller-end surface 14extending generally normal to the axis of the body 11. The body 11terminates at its other end in a longitudinally outwardly facing wall 15which is formed with a generally concave or dished recess 16; and thewall or sleeve 12 extends circumferentially about the recess 16,projecting from the end 15 of the body 11. The body 11 is further formedwith a pair of generally parallel bores 17, extending longitudinally ofthe body inward through the end wall 14 and opening into the recess 16for communication through the body end 15.

The socket 10, including the body 11 and sleeve 12, is preferablyintegrally fabricated, as by injection molding or other suitable method.If desired, a peripherally extending, outstanding flange 18 may beintegrally provided on the sleeve 12 extending about its end remote fromthe body 11.

A pair of rod-like elements or tines 20 are fabricated of any suitableelectrically conductive material, and are sized for frictionalengagement in the bores 17. The lower and upper ends 21 and 22 of eachtine 20 are preferably tapered to a point.

An additional body or plug, generally designated 24, may also beintegrally fabricated of suitably resilient, insulating material, suchas polyethylene or the like. The body 24 may be of a generallycylindrical external configuration, having opposite end walls 25 and 26disposed generally normal to the axis of the body. The body 24, adjacentto its end 26 may be provided with a peripherally extending enlargementor shoulder 27; and the body is sized for removable engagement in thesocket 10. Specifically, the body 24 is removably engageable within thesleeve 12 of the socket 10.

A generally semispherical or dish-shaped recess 28 is formed in the endwall 26 of the body 24, preferably coaxial therewith. Extending inwardthrough the end wall 25 of the body 24 are a pair of generally parallel,longitudinal bores or passageways 29 which open into the recess 28 forcommunication outward beyond the body end wall 26. The bores orpassageways 29 may be of the same internal configuration or diameter asthat of the bores or passageways 17; and, the lateral spacing betweenthe bores 29 may be the same as that between the bores 17. Hence, uponengagement of the body 24 within the sleeve 12, the bores 29 may becaused to align, respectively, with the bores 17.

An electrically actuated device is generally designated 34!, and forpurposes of illustration shown as an incandescent lamp including a glassenvelope 3 1 and a pair of wires 32 extending from the envelope.

In the condition of Figure 2v it will be observed that the envelope 31of the lamp 30 has one end seated in the recess 28 of the body 24 andits wires 32 extending from the recess into respective bores 29.Further, each conducting wire 32 extends entirely through its respectivereceiving bore 219 beyond the body end wall 25, where the wires are eachreversely bent, as at 33 to extend along the exterior surface of thebody 24 toward and terminating short of the shoulder 27. Thisconstruction, as by the sharp reverse bends 33, serves to effectivelymaintain the lamp 30 with its envelope 31 seated in the recess 28.

Also shown in the condition of Figure 2 are the tines 20 respectivelyreceived in the bores 17 of the body 11. In particular, each tine 20 hasits end region 21 engaged in a respective bore 17, and the end regions22 of the tines extend out of the bores beyond the end wall 15. However,the end portions 22 of the tines 20 are preferably located within thesleeve 12 of the socket 10.

A pair of electrical conductors or wires 35 extend respectively into thebores 17, through the body end wall 14, and are each wedged orfrictionally secured in position between a tine 20 and the internalsurface of the receiving bore 17. Thus, firm electrical and mechanicalconnection is obtained between each wire 35 and its respective adjacenttine 20. An additional electrical conductor is shown at 36,representative of a series circuit. Of course, the electrical-connectionstructure of the instant invention may be applied with equal advantagein any type of circuit.

In the fully assembled condition of Figure 3, the plug or body 24 hasbeen inserted into the open upper end of the sleeve 12, with the bores29 of the plug 24 in respective alignment with the bores 17 of thesocket 10. Thus, the ends 22 of the tines 2t) engage, respectively, inthe bores 29 of the plug 24. By this assembly a firm frictionalengagement is obtained between each tine 20 and the respective adjacentwire '32, to insure completion of an electrical circuit upon insertionof the plug 24 into the socket 10.

If it is desired to disassemble the connection of Figure 3, as forreplacement of the lamp 30, or otherwise, it is only necessary towithdraw the lamp and plug 24, whereupon the lamp may be separated fromthe plug by mere bending of the wires 32. The socket 10 may also bedisconnected from the wires 35, if desired, by merely removing the tines20, or applying sufficient force to the Wires 35 to overcome thefrictional engagement therewith of the tines. However, normal and evenconditions of abuse are ineffective to cause inadvertent disassembly.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides anelectrical connection which fully accomplishes its intended objects andis Well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, assemblyand use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connection comprising a first body having a pair ofgenerally parallel bores extending inward through one end of said firstbody and opening 4 through the other end thereof, a first pair ofconductive wires respectively received in said bores extending inwardthrough said one end of said first body, a pair of conductive tines eachhaving one end frictionally engaged in a respective bore of said firstbody and extending therefrom, said tines each frictionally securing inposition a respective one of said first pair of wires, a second bodyhaving a pair of generally parallel through bores and arranged with oneend of said second body adjacent to said other end of said first bodywith the bores of said second body respectively frictionally receivingthe other ends of said tines, and a second pair of wires located withinthe bores of said second body, respectively, and frictionally securedtherein by said tines, whereby said tines each effect electricalconnection between the wires of said first and second pairs of wires.

2. An electrical connection according to claim 1, in combination with asleeve on said first body extending closely about said second body, saidsleeve combining with said first body to define a socket receiving saidsecond body.

3. An electrical connection according to claim 2, said additional pairof wires extending outward from the bores of said second body beyondsaid one end thereof and being reversely bent to lie along the exteriorof said second body within said sleeve.

4. An electrical connection according to claim 3, in combination with anincandescent lamp on said other end of said second body connected tosaid second pair of wires and secured thereby to said second body.

5. An electrical connection according to claim 4, said second body beingformed in the other end thereof with a recess receiving saidincandescent lamp.

6. An electrical connection according to claim 4, said first and secondbodies being fabricated of resilient material.

Shewmaker June 26, 1956 Kirk Feb. 19, 1957

